Улаанбаатар
Prime Minister gives briefing on air pollution reduction
PoliticsUlaanbaatar /MONTSAME/ Last Friday, Prime Minister of Mongolia J.Erdenebat gave a media briefing on air pollution reduction measures.
Noting that the previous Governments were worked on implementing a number of projects for reduction of air pollution in Ulaanbaatar, but no tangible results have been seen so far.
Then he stressed that developing electric heating system will play a significant role in reducing Ulaanbaatar’s smog, and that decision has been taken to provide ger areas with free electricity durin nighttime.
The Prime Minister pointed out that the Mongolian Government is working on undertaking the following actions to reduce Ulaanbaatar’s smog.
1. Implement projects on developing ger areas into apartment areas and spend financial aid of the Chinese government on ger districts re-planning as discussed during Premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China Li Keqiang’s visit to Mongolia in July.
2. Introduce electric heating system in Mongolia and provide ger area households with cheap electric heaters made in Mongolia.
3. Support herders who have lost their livestock to dzud and other natural disasters and to create better living conditions in rural areas.
4. Encourage people’s initiatives on reducing air pollution.
Afterwards, Prime Minister J.Erdenebat noted that a total of MNT 4 billion is budgeted for the projects and programs to be implemented in 2017 for reducing Ulaanbaatar’s smog. Thereby, 80% of the budget will be spent on providing free electricity to ger areas at nighttime with an aim to reduce electricity deficits.
